Heart for the nations, or at least one of them...

Oh Guatemala. I didn't even know where to find it on a map three years ago. Now I'm obsessed. Not just because it's the birth country of my little chocolate chip, but somewhere along the way, the country and it's people were sewn into my heart and brain. Our trip with the team from church was incredible and since then several from my Guate-lovin' crowd took a trip to assess the ministry needs of the country. They hit several spots we haven't been to yet and it makes me so excited to become aware of more needs. Check out Emily's blog about the Least, the last and the Lost and Chris's blog titled Seen Too Much about parts of that trip.

As Chris stated, we are now among the accountable. That sounds like it should be a burden but on the contrary, it excites me. Hence, the title of this posting.

So, here's the deal. With our amazing connections, knowledge of the city, hotels, transportation, safe restaurants, etc and Russ' God-given worship talents, not to mention our two-year old entertainer, we're kind of a package deal. While we don't feel called to live in Guate like "regular" missionaries, we would love to use our skills/resources to facilitate groups that wish to serve there. While we can't afford to sponsor each and every ministry/need that we're aware of, we can use our voices to make the needs known through organizing and taking groups to the needs there.

There's lots of you who catch this blog now and then and some who check daily. I'm asking you to take this offer into consideration. Whether for a group from your church, your small group, your family, or whatever. We would LOVE to have a few trips a year on the calendar of groups we know from all kinds of different circles. Creating experiences to change your hearts toward this country. This isn't to take away from any local missions or helping in the U.S., it's just a need that we're aware of and in love with so we're just putting ourselves out there. The Lord may have plans for us to never take another trip there or He may already know of the many groups that will take us up on this offer. Who knows. What I do know is that I can't ignore the favor He gave us in planning this last trip and how the hearts of our team were expanded to include these beautiful people. To quote Chris Wheeler again, "At this point I know that we're to be a mouth-piece, a catalyst, a bridge...to connect people here in the States with the great needs in Guatemala."

So, anyone interested?